Bluesman Stevie Renner guilty of tax evasion, owed IRS $332,000

Guitarist Stevie Renner, who's fronted blues and rock bands around the Twin Cities since the 1980s, is facing the prospect of a new gig -- behind bars.

The 54-year-old musician was convicted in federal court on Tuesday of underreporting his income by nearly $1.5 million from 2002 to 2005. Each of his guilty counts is worth 5 years in prison.

The IRS says Renner owed more than $332,000 in taxes. But instead of paying Uncle Sam, the Pioneer Press reported that he spent his money on everything from vintage guitars to oil wells.

On the band's Web site, Renner says he "grew up on the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Carlos Santana, Duane Allman, and Johnny Winter," and that he's sat in with bands including REO Speedwagon, and the Commodores. "My guitars, amps as well as the other instruments in my group are like my canvas, paints, and brushes, and I create sound pictures."